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Leader (1850-1860), 9th June 1860, Edition 2 of 2, Page 11, THE ELEVATION OP THE LABOUEEE. I F we ri...

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      Humbug. It Is Mr. Hosea Biglow Who, Afte...

      and o-ireatei' rogues . Ftji / lee in his Church History tells us how these frauds had multiplied . When people came to pray to relics relics were made ;— several dozens of ribs of St . Latjbence , bushels of the teeth of'St . Bbidgket , ten or twenty legs of the Baptist , and other relics were found . On the Continent at the present day there are more than six eyes of John the Baptist , each of which is supposed to be genuine , and there is certainly enough wood of the true cross , although in email shavings , to build a brig of war with . Pious Romanist ' s hate and detest this species of humbug just as much as we do , and deplo re it more bitterly . O'Connell once said that the . man who did most injury to religion was a pious fool . 3 He was very nearly right ; there is yet one who does more , and he is

      a . rogue who pretends to be pious , —a humbug , who deceives others merely for his own good ; and , as we have been told in Luthee ' s own words and in those of contemporary historians , it was the " humbugs , " the religious " humbugs" of the day which produced the Reformation . The sale of indulgences and the exhibition of relics fiiled the priests' purses at first , but when discovered the people rose against them and threw off their yoke . And we ought to remember that what was true of yesterday is true of to-day , and will be true to-morrow . The truth never varies , —the humbug always does , and is always found out , and exposed and laughed at ; but

      it has a mushroom growth ; ' you may walk over it one day , and the next morning you find another in its place , flourishing away just as large as the other ; we never forget , however , that it is a mushroom , or rather a poisonous fungus , aad that truth is an oak which will etand a thousand years and will never be shaken ; and also that ¦ when we once descend to humbug or deceit we lower ourselves , and find it always very hard to get up again . It maybe very clever find verv humorous , and very sharp to " humbug" a person , but the term is only another and mpre vulgar word for lying and deceit , and no good man or really clever man would descend to that , knowing full well who has promised to judge those who do sc .

      Jtjne 9, 1660.J The Leader (Md Saturday ...

      Jtjne 9 , 1660 . j The Leader ( Md Saturday Analyst . 54 $

      The Elevation Op The Laboueee. I F We Ri...

      THE ELEVATION OP THE LABOUEEE . I F we rightly understand the late movements initiated by intelligent thinkers in behalf of the mechanic classes , they were from the first , and are still intended ; to raise the character of the labourer as an intellectual and moral man . The institutions founded wire designed as the pteces and means of education , at once occupying the leisure- arid finding-objects for it . In all this it was assumed that the operative had leisure . A little experience served to show that he had however iiot too much of it , and that what he had was deprived of its value by the state of weariness produced bj the many hours of previous work . In progress of time experience was ¦

      gained , niid enlarged ideas werejsuggested concerning- the physical health and comfort of the individual , as needful accessories to any plan of education . " Without them little way could be made by lectures or class-teaching . It was expedient that material reforms should precede spiritual culture , to afford the latter the scope and power of ' -which it was capable . For this purpose the appeal was repeatedly made to the master for the abridgment of the period of labour , not however with much success . The last form of this appeal is represented by " the Nine Hours' Movement . " We have recommended the subject to the favourable consideration t ^ re ^ identical

      ¦_^ f ^} te-M *» fcep ^ wJiose ^ nt ^ es as with that of the Man , and whom we have accredited with a sincere desire to aid in the moral elevation of the latter . The labourer asserts his desire for it , and his right to it . The master must have faith in this expressed desire , and recognise this right , else no progress in the question is possible . Has he , then , the requisite faith ? We more than fear not . The appeal so eloquently made by Mr . Geokge DPottku in behalf of the moral aspirations of the workman is met with incredulity . A contemporary sneers at the assumption that his clients are " thirsting after intellectual recreation , and would prefer to sjiend their ceded hour in the Mechanics' Institute to passing it in the convivial pleasures of the' Three Bells , ' or ' Compasses . '" It is thus that , in order to hang the poor dog , the master still continues to give him a bad name . Now , what is the source of this incredulity ? . _¦ :. _ .

      It is not the fact , though it may have been , that the workman really prefers the public-house to the institute , and will really abuse the leisure when granted . Sufficient evidence has been given . in corroboration of his desire to better his status in society . The master , on the other hand , shows a manifest disinclination'to recognise the desire . Can it be that he dreads the prpbable result , and regards the intelligent and ambitious labourer as his possible rival and future competitor ? He , perhaps , thinks it safer to keep him in an inferior position , than to acknowledge his equality , and recogniee his rights as a brother ; he looks on him , in fact , as his natural « nemy , and for his own protection would maintain tlieir relative positions in society . While such is the fueling in the minds of masters , and it is only too evident that it is so , the labourer ' s appeal in favour of the " nino hours , " or any other " movement , " has but a dreary ch ance of undergoing due and just consideration on the part of his employer . " : "" : ;; . : ~ :: " : : ~ rr : " '" . " ¦ ; " : ; . " ; ¦ "

      ,, It is quite impossible , howover , to beget this faith jn tho nriinda » f the masters , until they themselves are enlightened on some jn-ior points whioh load to tho formation of the belief . So long as the masters limit their aims to the production of the craftsman rather tfhan the man , they will care little for his moral elevation . They may 'fill the country , as Mr . Potteb remarked , with "first-rate carpenters , bricklayers , plasterers , and painters , but at tho same time moat 'p itiable and wretched specimens of humanity . " It is curious to see the old Socratie controversy revived in this form ; and Mr . Poxteb

      may ' think himself well off if he escapes the hemlock . So long as the master thinks he has an interest in the degradation of the labourer , and would reduce him to u mere machine for carrying 1 out his purposes , as a mere source of profit to himself ; so lpug , we say , the master is in an unfit state of mind for the proper consideration of the question at issue . On the . other . hand * the mere fact of the claim being set forth by the men on moral grounds , gives them a preliminary advantage in the argument , of which their adversaries must needs feel the want throughout the discussion . Public opinion , moreover , must needs ultimately side with the men ; for Reason , in modern England as well as in ancient Athens , must render in its verdict in favour of the great interests of humanity , and against those class interests which , when pushed to extremes , conduct states to ruin .

      Pursuing the argument just stated to its legitimate issues , it might , therefore , be sylogistieally demonstrated , that the elevation of the labourer and that of his employer is one aud the same question , and that the state of one is the index to the state of the other . The slave-owner is himself necessarily a slave . The tyrant is himself a serf in another form . The law of polarity cannot be evaded . It rules all nature , society , philosophy , and art . The master who refuses to believe in the sincere desire of his men for their moral elevation , after their full expression of it , and the manifested fact that they

      have conceived aright the idea , stands self-condemned of his ignorance of the latter , and of his unwillingness to advance with the progress of his age . It is proper , therefore , that he should seek for proper instruction : obtain enlightenment in regard to his own real interests ; and learn to regard himself as a man rather than as a master . It is as requisite for him to cultivate the humanity in his nature , disposition , and conduct , as it is for the carpenters , bricklayers , plasterers , and painters in his employ ; and if he do not , he is inferior to them in all that makes a man meritorious in himself or

      serviceable to society . It is a legitimate argument in favour of the hour ' s leisure that is now advocated , that , in consequence of the introduction of machinery , the same amount of labour is not required as formerly , and that the labourer has as much right to the advantage of modern invention as the capitalist . The world is wealthier ¦ than it ; was , and can afford more wages . Nine hours' labour is more profitable than ten hours' used to be . It is more than sufficient , to provide food , clothing * .-. necessities , and luxuries for the whole of the community . Wages must adapt : themselves to the new state of things , and cannot do it in " a manner more favourable to the masters than in tlie concession of an extra hour ' s labour . In all probability , the men will do quite as much-daily work , inasmuch as gratitude will induce them to labour move diligently . The nature of the

      instruction received during the extra leisure hour will predispose thorn to the amiable class of virtues , to which that of thankfulness belongs . The men will acquire an individual elevation which will be pleasing to every master who is not conscious of wanting it himself . It is as much to his ad \ 'antag-e as that of his-. employes that wayes , whether in the shape of an hour ' s leisure or a money payment , should be high .- ' The m en are thereby better able to become his customers;— - to ^ feed better , clothe better , and lodjje in better houses * By depressing wages , the employer is really lessening his own profits . " Where wages are high , " says Adam Smith , " workmen arc more active , diligent , and expeditious than where they are low . " All political . econbmfets ^ ltgT'fcTr ^ adopt . without fear a liberal policy , and by assisting in the elevation of the labourer , at once assert and secure their own ,

      Glaciees In Winter. • \Resterday Week Pr...

      GLACIEES IN WINTER . \ rESTERDAY week Professor Tyndall delighted a large audi-I ence , at tho Royal Institution , by describing a journey he undertook to Chamonni during the intense cold of last winter . At a time when the severity of the cold impelled many to warmer climates and larger fires , our philosopher projected an expedition to Switzerland , in order to see the " Monarch of Mountains in the height of power , and be enabled to ascertain what tho glaciers were doing when their ice was cooled to 24 . degrees below the zero of the centigrade scale . " ' ¦ ' ¦ ' ^

      . ... .. „ .. „ „ .. „ - _ Cliamouni was reached with difficulty , for a heavy full of snow had rendered the roads almost impassable , and locomotion was only possible by wading through drifts almost deep enough to swallow up the horses aud bipeds who undertook the task . The snow exhibited in perfection the exquisite crystalline forms which Dr . Scokhsby and others discovered in the Polar regions , and which may bo partially seen in our own climate when the weather is unusually intense . So fine were these particles , that the wind drove them through every chink and cranny , and they covered the floors of the rooms , and put an extra but not altogether welcome the frostflowers in

      blanket upon the beds . The windows exhibited - porl ' ectiou , and with a beauty of form and combination unknown in our winters . In one case the Professor found a delicate curtain , arranged in artistic folds , hanging outside a window , and composed entirely of guusja-Hke films . of inoiature , beautifully crystallized , and sparkling in tho light . It was with great difficulty he managed to ascend to the glacier , and while toiling through tho mow was startled by a hollow , booming sound , liko tho firo of u lurtfu . nnd distant gun . Upon examination it was found that tho cohesion oi a irrewt field hi' snow wn « disturbed by the movements of his purty , imtf a hirgo fissure showed where the continuity of the muss was broken . Fortunately no further disturbance took place , or tlio travellers mitrht have had an avalanche about their earn . Hie > noise was so peculiar that it led to much consideration , and the Professor con-

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), June 9, 1860, page 11, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_09061860/page/11/